place would need to have their own personality to be
successful. I guess it's really all about integrity.”
But Maboneng is NOT a CSR project. It's a
business. And yet so many elements of this
community seems to have all the hallmarks
of CSR – indeed it seems to be business
with a mission and with a 'higher purpose'.
Says Evans:
“There has always been a conscious effort to create an
enlightened community. It's an ethos that has been created.
I think like-minded people with similar ideals have been
naturally attracted to the space in this way. But we could not
have predicted or dictated the projects that have contributed
to this on such a massive scale. When Shruthi, who is now
our sales agent, moved here, the ?rst thing she did was look
for creches because she had come from a background of
teaching kids in Korea. She didn't ?nd what she was looking
for and that set her on a mission of her own.”
Shruthi now runs One Creche at a Time – an organisation
focused on upgrading physical environments and then,
once the physical environment has been improved, shifting
focus to the improvement of the curricula. One Creche at a
Time currently has projects that include the Little Roses
Crèche in Albrecht Street and the MaiMai Crèche at the
traditional healers' market.
So, maybe Jonathon is not the only one who is determined
to shape the world to his own needs. And if enough people
are willing to work the steel then the possibilities for what
shapes they might create become virtually limitless.
The question is, how can corporate South
Africa and civil society get involved with
what they are doing down there 'In the
heart of the city'?
“Well, in terms of the community initiatives, we have a
community partner in Charities Aid Foundation, South Africa
who are based at Arts on Main. With the community centres
and the creches in the area, they have partnered us up with
companies like Shell and Tata who have been very generous.”
“There have been many corporates who have made very
bold decision to bring business back to the city. That is huge.
If corporates move their companies into the
city this will contribute to making the city a
viable business destination again.
And in terms of hard-core CSR I suppose it's a matter of
seeing how they could get involved - whether it be by
supporting existing community initiatives or pitching an idea
for something that will make use of what is great about our
community and our space. There are is always a need,
always an opportunity and always ways to get involved.”
Market on Main happens every Sunday at Arts on Main from
10am- 3pm, with a Night Market (7pm- 11pm) on the ?rst
Thursday of every month. More information and stall holder
applications at www.marketonmain.co.za
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